Monthly Archives: June 2010

This small restaurant specializing in central European and Austrian food is owned and run by Zipora Freid. Originally from Israel, Freid grew up in Austria. Kinski is famous for its laid back atmosphere, Viennese coffee, and authentic sausages and dumplings. Her signature dish is the Kaspressknödel. She has two employees, one who is Geman and the other Japanese. English and German are spoken in the kitchen. 128 Rivington Street www.kinski-nyc.com

This 17-year-old East Village subterranean sake bar is dark and mysterious. It is easy to miss the small sign, and yet weeknights often finds the place packed. One has to go down a small flight of stairs and wait at a dusty velvet rope to be seated at a table down a narrow hall. Or, one can take a seat at the first of two bars, and watch the food being made. With the help of a two-burner gas range, one electic burner and two microwaves, the sole bartender working the small bar concocts the various Japanese Isakaya-style small plates of food. They carry about 80 different kinds of sake, and English, Japanese and Korean are spoken by the staff of 13. 240 East 9th Street www.sakebardecibel.com

While touring throughout Japan as a jazz drummer, the owner of this ramen noodle shop, Shigeto Kamada, visited some of the country’s most famous ramen noodle shops. When he settled in New York, he vowed to bring his knowledge and love of authentic ramen to the city. Tuesday evenings, Shigeto can be found performing with a jazz piano trio at his second noodle house, Kambi. 536 East 5th Street www.newyorkramen.com

This old school establishment has been in business for 34 years. It’s owner, Carmine Morales, of Italian and Puerto Rican parents, started out working in the shop with his father. When his parents passed away, he took over the business, which he now runs alone. Family portraits hang on the shop’s walls alongside photos of famous boxers, the Beatles, and Frank Sinatra. Mr. Morales attended school across the street and has always lived in the neighborhood. He likes to play an eclectic mix of big band, oldies and current pop music. 56 Hester Street

Dear Readers,
A draft of next week’s post was accidently published tonight, and subsequently (very quickly!) removed.
Two kitchens are scheduled to post tomorrow, Monday morning.
Sorry for the false start – there are many buttons to man aboard this blog mother-ship.
Cheers,
The Management

This popular nautically themed watering hole on the far West Side of Manhattan is the brainchild of Taavo Somer of Freeman’s, and Ken Friedman of neighboring Spotted Pig. In 2009, New York Magazine’s Adam Platt voted their pretzel dog the best in the city. More recently, chef Sue Torres of Sueno was brought on board to add a Mexican flair to their menu. There is usually one cook at a time in the kitchen. On the day of this shoot Adrian was at the helm for the day shift, and Juan came in for the night shift. 425 West Street